Every federal disaster in Silver Spring since 1962
Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Montgomery County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.
- Declarations
- 22since 1962
- Major disasters
- 15the most serious kind
- Since 2000
- 15declarations
- Most recent
- 2026Severe Winter Storm
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montgomery County's overall natural hazard risk relatively moderate, led by winter weather, inland flooding and heat wave. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.
All declarations
| Declared | Event | Type | FEMA number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Emergency | EM-3634 |
| Mar 26, 2020 | COVID-19 Pandemic | Major disaster | DR-4491 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | COVID-19 | Emergency | EM-3430 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-4261 |
| Nov 20, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Major disaster | DR-4091 |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane Sandy | Emergency | EM-3349 |
| Aug 2, 2012 | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds | Major disaster | DR-4075 |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane Irene | Emergency | EM-3335 |
| May 6, 2010 | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms | Major disaster | DR-1910 |
| Feb 19, 2010 | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm | Major disaster | DR-1875 |
| Jul 2, 2006 | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes | Major disaster | DR-1652 |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Emergency | EM-3251 |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane Isabel | Major disaster | DR-1492 |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Snow | Emergency | EM-3179 |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Winter Storm | Major disaster | DR-1324 |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Major disaster | DR-1081 |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Emergency | EM-3100 |
| Aug 28, 1989 | Severe Storms & High Winds | Major disaster | DR-839 |
| Oct 4, 1975 | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-489 |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Tropical Storm Agnes | Major disaster | DR-341 |
| Aug 17, 1971 | Severe Storms & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-309 |
| Mar 9, 1962 | Severe Storms, High Tides & Flooding | Major disaster | DR-127 |
Frequently asked questions
How many federal disasters has Silver Spring had?
Since 1962, the federal government has issued 22 disaster or emergency declarations covering Montgomery County, including 15 major disaster declarations. 15 of them came in 2000 or later.
What was the most recent federal disaster in Silver Spring?
Severe Winter Storm (Emergency, declared January 24, 2026).
What kinds of disasters hit Silver Spring most often?
By FEMA incident type: severe storm (5), snowstorm (5), hurricane (5) and flood (4).
New to Silver Spring? The city profile covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Montgomery County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.